Static friction force? mew? do what now?

AI Thread Summary
Static friction, represented by the coefficient of friction (mew), is crucial for understanding the forces acting on objects. In the discussed problem, a 225 kg crate pushed with a force of 710 N and a coefficient of friction of 0.20 requires calculating the acceleration using the formula Ff = mew x Fn. The normal force (Fn) is equal to the weight of the crate, which is negative due to gravity. The net force (Fnet) is determined by subtracting the frictional force from the applied force, leading to the formula Fnet = ma for acceleration. Understanding mew helps clarify how much force is needed to move objects based on their frictional properties.
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:( static friction force? mew? do what now??

Okay, thanks for helping me first off.
Second, i was absent :( and now I'm pretty confused on a few problems that do with force.
the first of four problems, i don't understand, like, what exactly is mew?
ok ..
1. a 225 kg crate is pushed horizontally with a force of 710 N. If the coefficient of friction is .20, calculate the acceleration of the crate.
Heres what I've done:
225 kg= F sub g
710 N= F sub p
a = ?
now is the coefficient of friction static or kinetic? does it matter?
 
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Coefficient of friction is mew. Do you have the formula for coefficient of friction, the one with Ff in it? I can't recall the meaning of what coefficient of friction is but if you have your formula for it you should be able to find acceleration.
 
well, we have this formula..but its really confusing to me.
KINETIC FRICTION FORCE: Ff, kinetic=mewk times Force normal

? whoa that's got no acceleration. I am confused and frustrated :(
 
nevermind ill take a zero lol it doesn't matter.
 
I know how to do the problem now then. I'll give you some formulas and information, you can then try and attempt it.

Ff = Mew x Fn

Fn = -(Weight)
W = mg (gravity = g = -9.8 m/s^2
Weight is always negative. Fn (normal force) is what causes something to stay in place; therefore, it is opposite but equal to weight. Fn is positive.

Once you have Ff you know:

Fnet (net force) = Fapp (force applied) + Ff (force of friction)
Force of friction is negative:

Fnet= Fapp + (Ff) - The + will combine with the - from Ff and make the problem subtraction.

Once you have Fnet:

Fnet = ma
Rearrange

Fnet divided by mass = a

Then you have acceleration.
 
Yupp - that's right :)
 
To clear understanding...mew indeed is the coefficient of friction

it is defined as the Frictional Force (F of F) over (/) the Normal Force (F of N)

Mew helps to understand the tendency of an object to slide..

For instance, an object with .5 mew takes much more force to slide it horizontally than an object with a .3 mew.
 
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